by Michelle Snaddon
Our newly launched Shoot Locations portfolio includes handpicked homes and safari lodges in gorgeous settings, each with striking architectural features and off-the-charts interiors.
We love nothing more than a challenging brief because we know that our photoshoot and film locations frequently exceed expectations and are truly beautiful – a dream for photographers, filmmakers or creative directors. Let us introduce you and tease with inspiration on how our lovely clients are using our locations…
From striking architectural marvels to clapboard beach houses, or inner-city glamour, quirky artists’ homes and rustic farms, to pristine beaches or dramatic mountain settings, our film and photoshoot locations are unrivalled in Southern Africa. You’ll discover a coastline that spans the shores of two oceans, some of the most stylish safari lodges and a truly remarkable scope of interior styles… and great weather!
Enjoy spacious interiors, exquisite outdoor spaces and customisable settings that cater to your specific needs. Whether you’re a professional photographer, filmmaker or creative director, our properties offer the perfect blend of aesthetics, versatility and comfort.
BRANDS WHO LOVE OUR LOCATIONS
‘We are constantly amazed by the extraordinary talent and creative vision of our loyal local and international brands,’ says Natalie Whitehead, who heads up the Shoot Locations division at Perfect Hideaways in Cape Town. Being based in Time Out’s ’Best City in the World’ for 2025 means that you have a hands-on, passionate team of professionals on the ground at all times. Our team specialises in film locations and photoshoots, but have in-depth knowledge of the entire portfolio of Perfect Hideaways properties, which means that your crews or teams can frequently stay and shoot in the same location.
Looking for inspiration? Here are some examples of our locations, discovered and loved by local brands Weylandts, Poetry, Block & Chisel and Woolworths.
WEYLANDTS AT STONE HOUSE, HERMANUS
There are times when our houses are entirely transformed with styling for catalogue shoots. Stone House is one of the most versatile, with generous living areas that open up on both sides, allowing clients to make the best use of views and location.
Before
After
Examples of how this versatile, light-filled interior space with the best views can be transformed by a photo shoot. We also love a Before and After and couldn’t have styled it better! This is the Weylandts team at work at our Hermanus rock star, Stone House. (Images: Greg Cox)
Before
After
Examples of how this versatile, light-filled interior space with the best views can be transformed by a photo shoot. We also love a Before and After and couldn’t have styled it better! This is the Weylandts team at work at our Hermanus rock star, Stone House. (Photos: Greg Cox)
WEYLANDTS AT BEAU CONSTANTIA VILLA, CAPE WINELANDS
You name it, we have it. Sensational staircases, for starters… Weylandts chose the clean architectural lines of striking Beau Constantia Villa set high above the vineyards of Constantia and let the location do the talking. (Images: Weylandts)
POETRY AT FARNIENTE, KOMMETJIE
South African brand Poetry chose our Greek-style hideaway, Farniente, on the spectacular dunes at Kommetjie, to feature their furniture range. (Images: Poetry)
WOOLWORTHS AT DE SCHUUR, YZERFONTEIN
Block & Chisel chose the airy and relaxed setting of Summer Rose in Camps Bay to showcase ‘The West Coast Collection’ of chairs. The location suited their range perfectly. (Images: Block & Chisel)
TESTAMONIALS
‘Ice house offers incredible sea views, grandiose sunsets from every level and spacious interiors with multiple adjoining outdoor environments. The staff at Ice House are phenomenal, going the extra mile from first meeting to cleanup. We can happily rely on Perfect Hideaways to offer top quality locations for premium shoots of all natures. A delightful experience all-round.’
Danielle and Haldane Martin, Songololo shoot at Ice House, Llandudno
Danielle and Haldane Martin’s Songololo shoot at Ice House, Llandudno. (Images: Brett Rubin)
‘I have had the pleasure of working with Perfect Hideaways for a few years now. I can confidently say that this company offers some of the most breathtaking locations for photoshoots I’ve ever encountered. Whether you’re looking for an idyllic countryside backdrop, a chic urban space, or something more unconventional, they have a stunning range of spots that suit every style and vibe.
The process was seamless from start to finish. The team was invaluable and responsive, providing detailed information about each location and ensuring everything was organised. The locations themselves? Flawless. Each one was uniquely beautiful, offering not only breathtaking scenery but also the quality finishes and design details required to elevate luxury campaign imagery.
I highly recommend Perfect Hideaways to anyone in need of a remarkable location. Their offering makes it a no-brainer for anyone looking to create something special.’
Lisa Mouton, Hertex Haus
OUR FIVE MOST POPULAR REQUESTS
In South Africa, we are fortunate to enjoy extended summers, beautiful light conditions and different weather patterns in the north and south of our vast country. The seasons are also the opposite to Europe, and our coastline and country so diverse that you’re spoilt for choice. February to April is a popular time to shoot in the Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal coast, but our photoshoot and film locations north of Johannesburg have sunshine and blue skies throughout the winter months of May to August, but it’s possible to shoot all year round.
Cape Town, in particular, offers film and shoot locations in every design style, along with pristine beaches and dramatic mountain settings. Our cityscapes are both contemporary and historic, many with views of the mountain and sea, making our shoot locations unrivalled in Southern Africa for their sheer diversity.
Our most popular shoot location requests are for beach and ocean views, modern interiors and exterior architecture, neutral palettes, and homes surrounded by nature or farms, but there’s much more in our Shoot Locations portfolio …
Theme #1: EXCEPTIONAL INTERIORS
We’ve chosen knock-out interiors in two beautiful beach locations: Stone House and Heeren Huijs are set on the cliffs in Hermanus, and Schrywershoek Beach House is on the shores of Langebaan Lagoon in the West Coast National Park. All of them are the creative work of some of South Africa’s most inspirational interior designers and architects, but coupled with drop-dead gorgeous settings and the luxury of space, they are, understandably, a frequent choice for scouts.
Heeren Huijs
Schrywershoek Beach House
Theme #2: MODERN & TRENDY
A plethora of architecturally striking homes line our Cape coastline, yet inner city urban escapes and safari lodges offer equally exciting options. We know all the top architects and interior designers (South Africa is blessed with some of the best in the world, who are equally at home with conceptualising architectural designs and interiors for rock star beach houses as they are with the challenges of five-star safari properties). Here are two of our most popular choices, but all you need to do is send us a visual brief for your dream location for a photoshoot or film…
Bahari
Cape Kloof Villa
Villa Verte
Neutral interiors are a top request from location scouts, but these two properties are currently the most popular for photoshoots as they offer multiple configurations in generous living spaces as well as outdoor areas, adding so much value. Lofty ceilings, interesting window configurations, a mix of light industrial with contemporary lines and styles, quality flooring and heritage features all add to the joy of working with these spaces.
Die Handelshuis
Maison Franschhoek
#Theme 4: SURROUNDED BY NATURE
Whether it’s Table Mountain, the rugged peaks of the Cape Winelands, the undulating Overberg coastline near Hermanus, the calm waters of Langebaan Lagoon or dramatic Cederberg and Karoo landscapes that you’re looking for, Perfect Hideaways has a natural location for every brief.
Imagine combining this setting with historic farmsteads, grand Cape Dutch manor houses with rolling lawns, contemporary city villas set in wild urban gardens, humble country cottages surrounded by vineyards or modern pods in fynbos. Expect jaw-dropping vistas, spectacular light – no matter the season. And, of course, olive groves, rivers, dams, waterfalls, cliffs, mountains, untamed bushveld and more…
High Country Cottage
Frailann
Theme #5: COUNTRY FARMS
From traditional farmhouses steeped in history to contemporary wine farms, we have a broad mix of idyllic rural settings in our portfolio. Some are working farms, some not, but all are located in tranquil landscapes with beautiful views, whether you’re in search of rolling pastures, vineyards or rustic charm.
Need a long drive through grasslands, forest or an avenue of trees leading to a beautiful property? 4×4 route? We have them all, and many are no more than 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town.
Moya's Vineyard
BoPlaas Manor and Cottages
Thuúla Haven
With over 2 850 kilometres (1 770 miles) of coast stretching along this southern tip of Africa, South Africa’s shoot locations offer the most diverse shorelines in the world, with the added benefit of being able to base yourself and crews in Perfect Hideaways’ luxury accommodation for the duration of the shoot.
Choose from Cape Town’s spectacularly beautiful ocean views, the mountains and vineyards of the Cape Winelands or the wilder shorelines of the rugged West Coast. Or discover the fynbos-bordered bays of the Overberg or Garden Route and the tropical shorelines or Big Five safari bushveld of KwaZulu-Natal.
For more fabulous film and photoshoot locations, or want to list your shoot locations with Perfect Hideaways? Please email [email protected] for more information.
